Essendon will resume pre-season training in less than a fortnight and the discussion about who the playing group will select to replace Matthew Lloyd as captain is starting to heat up.

 

Jobe Watson's name is being mention often by fans but so too is David Hille and Mark McVeigh. Maybe another member of the leadership group like Andrew Welsh should get the gig or even a young player that has shown great leadership qualities. Or do you think Dustin Fletcher should hold the role in what could be his final year.

 

To vote in this week's poll click here.

 

Last week we asked 'is there a place for Michael Still in the 2010 Essendon forward line?' and an overwhelming 70.98% of fans voted 'yes', just 6.47% said 'no' and 22.54% thought 'maybe'.  

 

 

Aussie2 from Upper Pakenham says: Michael at 194cm is taller than both Lucas & Lloyd. I think with his height, strength & powerfull marking, he will be able to become one of the premier forwards of the competition over the next decade.

 

Aydin from Melbourne says: He should be on the bench but if someone important at Essendon reads this message please get Jay Neagle some runners and make him run his butt off because he is quite unfit.

 

Stew from Rowville says: If Neagle can't reach the required fitness levels then Still should be given an opportunity.

 

Clinton from Caulfield says: Michael Still has every opportunity to forge a career in the red and black. Unfortunately, for me, Jay Neagle is too slow for the Essendon game plan and, with other young forwards coming back into the mix next year, may find it hard to hold onto his place in the team.

 

Alan McCready from Melton South Vic says: It's up to Michael, I've heard he has a good pair of hands and it's there if he wants it badly enough. Lets hope he pushes hard, competition is good for us!

 

Simon Debono from Vic says: I think if he strengthened up a bit he could fit into the full forward role. If he can contribute more than Neagle, I don't see why not.

 

Tommy Rynberk from Glen Waverley says: I hope so, i'm not sold on Neagle yet, until he kicks a bag, and contributes each week he shouldn't be an automatic selection, make him earn his spot. This will make for a good battle for positions between a few players.

 

Joseph Attard from Taylors Hill says: I believe he will. Could be the suprise packet of 2010 if you really think about it. Michael Still although looks and is very raw, handle him with care bombers.

 

Rick from Melbourne says: If he can take a strong mark, has speed, agility and endurance, he will test Jay Neagle pretty soon.

 

Ben from Berwick says: It really comes down to injuries. I can see him coming in and playing 5-10 senior games through the season if we get an average run with injuries. Still a very young developing body, and there is no rush with him.

 

Gail Poynter from Bacchus Marsh says: I would hope that Michael would get some AFL time by Round 12. There will always be room for a smart forward. He may need to put on a bit of muscle early in the year.

 

Matt Milburn from Gladstone Park says: If required he will play, it's that simple... If Neagle, Gumbleton and Williams all do their job and keep fit then it is less likely that Still will get a run.

 

Clifford Davison from Australia says: I certainly believe that there is space for Michael, however, I think Neagle and Gumbleton deserve first crack. Add to that Hurley's ability to play forward and back, it may be difficult and Michael may have to bide his time at the start of the season and tear it up in the Magoos with Bendigo and hope that an opportunity arises during the season...

 

Jan Di Pietro from NYC says: Unless I'm mistaken, he was picked up as a 17-yr-old with the thinking that he was going to go as an early pick in THIS year's draft. So I would like to think that over the last year he has developed himself and is ready to play some games. I get the feeling he may be one of those surprises in the forward line. That would be nice.

 

Teek from Melb. says: I suppose there may be a spot for Michael Still , because Gumby still hasn't proven he can get on the park, and play more than one or two games in a row. and Neagle goes missing in games, how many times has he kicked the first goal in a game , then goes missing ???

 

Mario borg from SA says: The more we can rotate in the forward line the better. And we are not relying on one person up forward to kick it to all the time, ala FEV.

 

Ducky from Qld says: Michael Still has just as much chance as any of the other forwards who have yet to prove themselves. It seems that a lot of hope is being placed on a player, namely Gumby, who has yet to show anything!

 

Ricke from Castlemaine says: I think we have a great range of options in the forward line this year and Still has a great chance. If he can force his way in he has what it takes to make his own spot. Yes theres a lot of guys that deserve a spot but Michael can be 1 of them with hard work! GO THE BOMBERS!!!!!

 

Mark from Altona Meadows says: 18 years old and a key forward....you can never have enough of them. Good luck Michael for 2010, train your butt off and the rewards will come.

 

Shaun from Melbourne says: If Jay Neagle is out drinking beers and eating doughnuts at the moment then a young bloke like Michael Still could easily go past him in the pecking order in the forward line

 

James Brown from Berwick, Vic says: It's hard to say either way. We haven't seen him play, so he could be the best player since Wayne Carey, or he could just be an average forward. He's only 18, so as a key position player, he needs time to develop his body, but also needs game time. He could injure himself and miss the whole season, or he could dominate this year's pre-season and be our number 1 forward next season. I really hope he does play. Neagle hasn't been the player we would like him to be, and Gumbleton has only played 5games. Develop him, give him games but I reckon, with Neagle or Gumbleton out of the side, so he has the chance to play on a key backmen and show us what he's got.

 

Julian from Prahran says: If everyone is fit, no.

 

Mary Tovey from St Kilda/VIC says: If you turn Still side on, you wouldn't see him - so his progress will be slow and sure, as he puts some muscle on over the next few years, and fills out a bit. He could turn out to be an inspired draft pick as we won't have access to players like him in the Draft again for some years. Can't wait to see him play. And yes, he will debut in 2010.

 

Michael from Brunswick East says: If his form in the VFL warrants selection then he should get a go, he is a great kick for goal and has very strong hands and with a big preason he could be a 3rd tall in the forward line with Neags and Gumby, and Williams, Davey, Monfries and Reimers to pounce if the ball hits the ground.

 

Shayne from Grovedale says: He already looks more threatening than Neagle because he isn't over weight and can prob run further than 100 metres. This should be Neagles make or break year also, let him at least show some hunger to be out there. At least rotate Still with Neagle occassionally